I feel like cauliflower is really having a moment right now. Like Missy Elliott at the Super Bowl, it’s cauliflower’s time to shine!

Speaking of, Ben’s little brother was watching the big game with us last Sunday when Ms. Misdemeanor (am I really going here?) popped out and Ben and I started going nuts. We were rapping along and he was like, yeah I was 10 years old when Work It came out. I almost spit out my cabernet. Then the next day Buzzfeed published a post featuring all the tweets and Instagrams from the youngins saying “Katy Perry’s going to make this Missy Elliott chick blow up!!” and “I just had to Google Missy Elliott.” EXCUSE ME?! Kids these days.

Anyway, like I mentioned, the foodie world is abuzz with predictions that 2015 will be cauliflower’s big year…which kind of makes me giggle because it’s been around for hundreds of years, but, I get it. I love cauliflower too! Whether it’s roasted (<– omg that post,) riced, or blended into creamy soups, it’s easy to see that cauliflower is one of the most versatile vegetables around and I’m glad it’s in the spotlight.

My Low-Carb Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder is also having a moment here on the blog, thanks to a recent resurgence on Pinterest, so I thought I’d use cauliflower to replace potatoes in another one of my favorite soups – Low-Carb Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup!

Raise your hand if you remember Panera’s Potato Cream Cheese Soup from back in the day? I had it for lunch probably three times a week with a side Greek Salad during my senior year of high school when You Pick Two’s were just $3.10 (can you EVEN?!) and eating at the school cafeteria was unthinkable. A thick and cheesy broth with creamy potatoes was all I ever wanted, all year round.

Unfortunately the soup was axed from the menu a few years later – I seriously remember shrieking nooo! when I found out while waiting in line to order – so I was more than happy to make it at home, and update the recipe to use grated cauliflower instead of potatoes to make it a little more waistline friendly at just 9 grams of carbs per bowl.

Low-Carb Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup is grated cauliflower, which is kissing texture cousins to potatoes, that’s steamed with seasoned salt, feathery fresh dill, and pepper then simmered in gluten-free flour-thickened broth for a few minutes before being swirled with tangy cream cheese. If you loved the Potato Cream Cheese Soup from Panera, you will adore this low-carb version. The grated cauliflower is a perfect swap!

I don’t remember Panera’s version having dill in it but Ben picked up a package for the salmon he smoked last weekend so I threw some chopped into the pot and oh my gosh it is Heavenly. Super delicate tasting and brings life to each spoonful…which can stand straight up in this thick and hearty soup. :) Best of all? It’s ready in under 30 minutes making this a weeknight friendly recipe, too!

Start by grating 1 small head cauliflower for 4 cups grated cauliflower. I used the grating attachment on my food processor but you could absolutely use the large grating side of a box grater. You’ll see the size of the grated cauliflower is a cross between rice and hash browns.

Next saute 1 small chopped shallot, or 1/4 small onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves in 2 Tablespoons butter in a soup pot over medium heat, until the shallots are just starting to turn tender, 3-4 minutes. Add the grated cauliflower plus 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt (I used Lawrys which is MSG free – I know people have asked about that in the past,) and lots of pepper, then stir to evenly coat the cauliflower in butter.

Pour in 2 Tablespoons water then place a lid on the pot and steam the cauliflower until it’s nice and tender, about 7 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Pour in 2 cups milk (any kind – I used skim,) 1-1/2 cups chicken broth and more pepper, then turn the heat up to medium-high and bring the soup to a gentle bubble.

Finally, add the cream cheese! You’ll need 8oz cream cheese softened to room temperature. I tested this recipe with 1/3 less fat cream cheese, and this Greek yogurt cream cheese blend, and both were fantastic. Scrape the cream cheese into the soup from the package in three or four hunks then switch to a whisk and whisk until it’s completely melted and incorporated into the soup.

Taste and add salt and pepper if necessary then let the soup sit and thicken off the heat for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls (how cute are these crocks I found at Pier 1?) then serve!

Directions

Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic then saute until shallots are starting to become tender, 4-5 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning the garlic. Add the cauliflower, fresh dill, seasoned salt, and pepper then stir to coat cauliflower in butter. Add water then place a lid on top and steam cauliflower until tender, 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile whisk 1/4 cup chicken broth and flour together in a small bowl then set aside. Add remaining 1-1/2 cups chicken broth and milk to the soup pot, add more pepper, then turn heat up to medium-high and bring soup to a gentle bubble, stirring occasionally. Turn heat back down to medium then stream in chicken broth/flour mixture, stir to combine, and then simmer until soup is slightly thickened, 5 minutes.

Divide cream cheese into thirds in wrapper then scrape into the soup pot. Switch to a whisk then whisk soup until cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated. Taste then add salt and pepper if necessary and then let soup sit and thicken off the heat for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

I used a food processor with the grating blade attachment to quickly grate my cauliflower, though you can use a standard box grater too.

Omg, yes. I feel so sorry for all of those “young” people that don’t know who Missy Elliot is. The same thing happened recently when the Paul McCartney/Kanye/Rihanna song came out. I think I read something along the lines of “Kanye is going to make this McCartney guy famous!!” Kids these days…

I have watched you and our beautiful Boy and family and your motherhood grow and bloom. It is so beautiful, the life you create and share and give to Lincoln. I love your blog, I just became a Grandmother and my goodness…She melts my heart. Thank you for sharing Iowa Girl…<3 you!

This looks like a really yummy recipe! Kristin, if you see this comment, I wonder if you can answer a query. I don’t generally keep fresh herbs because they mostly go bad at my house. ;) But I do keep a fairly large selection of dried on hand. Can you tell me how much dried dill to use vs. fresh? And for that matter, is there a rule of thumb in general in recipes? Thanks!!!

I made this soup. I’m a vegetarian so I did modify with some “Chick’n” broth and threw some leeks in. Let me tell you that it was amazing. Even the carnivore boyfriend thought it was super delightful. The dill is a great add on! Its hard to be a vegetarian in Iowa so this was a great find (once it was macguyvered)
Bless!

[…] Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is one that I have to make at least a few times every winter! Panera Bread Cauliflower Cream Cheese Soup recipe (also retired from their menu) and Panera Bread Macaroni and Cheese recipe are both on my list to […]

You Might Also Like

hi, i’m kristin!

I'm a Midwestern wife and Mama of two little boys and a baby girl. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013, Iowa Girl Eats is a place I share delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Visit my Recipe Index for inspiration!MORE ABOUT ME

Iowa Girl Eats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.